IS CLIMATE CHANGE A BLESSING OR CURSE? THE CHANGING CLIMATE INFLUENCE ON PLANT DISEASES AND PESTS DEVELOPMENT: A NARRATIVE STUDY.

Benson  Turyasingura; Shambhu  Katel; Dean Gabriel  Chilumpha; Wycliffe  Tumwesigye; Petros  Chavula

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v5i3.1030

Authors

Benson Turyasingura Africa Center of Excellence for Climate Smart Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Haramaya University.
Shambhu Katel G.P. Koirala College of Agriculture and Research Centre, (GPCAR), Gothgaun, Morang, Nepal.
Dean Gabriel Chilumpha Africa Center of Excellence for Climate Smart Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Haramaya University.
Wycliffe Tumwesigye Department of Agriculture, Agribusiness and Environmental Sciences, Bishop Stuart University, Mbarara, Uganda.
Petros Chavula Africa Center of Excellence for Climate Smart Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Haramaya University.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v5i3.1030

Keywords:

Climate, Disease and Pest, Global warming, Nutrient Management, Thresholds

Abstract

The study investigates the impact of climate change on the development of plant diseases and the emergence of novel plant diseases, the conditions for disease development, mitigation strategies, and adaptation strategies for pest control. Climate change and variability may have indirect effects on animal diseases that are more significant than direct consequences. However, there has been little focus on the impact of climate change on agriculture, particularly concerning insect pests; because rising temperatures hasten insect life cycles, migration, and nutrition. It is concluded that it is necessary to construct and reinforce barriers that stop the arrival of exotic infections, develop tools for quick diagnosis of novel diseases, and train technical personnel to use these techniques once they are in place.